The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-02-10
THE INDIANA sENATORsH1P.

On what preteXt the Republicans can
contest Judge Turpie's election to tbC
United States Senate from Indiana IL
hard to understand. In the final vote
all the members voted and the vote stood
Turpie rs, Harrison IA. Every vote was
cast, and the right Of every member
voting to vote had been recognized by
both parties. The closing scene Of the
memorable contest Is pictured as follows
In the legislative report Of the Indian
apoli,. Sentinel:
When Mr.. Robinson cast his vote fOI
Turpis after an explanatory speech, O
tremendous burst Of cheers and clappinR
of hands came from the Democratic side
of the House.
The scene was one Of tremendous ex
citement. The Democrats kept up their
chesring and clRpping OF hands, while
the Republican side was In a state OF
cOmmOtiOn, with members running
hither and thither, and rapid cOnsulta
tiOns were being held.
As Speaker Sayre proceeded to declare
the result of the vote In the House, the
scene was q very dramatic one. Mr..
Sayre was evidently mad. He looked up
at President Smith, who was st his side,
with q sOrt Of menace, at which that
gentlemR laughed heartily. He an
nOunced the vote In the House to be-
Harrison So; Turpie, Al; and then said.
while pounding the desk with his gaVel:
in anticipation of what is to be done,
l, as presiding officer Of this body, will
say that no one has received majority
of the votes cast here, and no
Senator has been elected. He who
is preparing to announce the result
is not the presiding officer of
this body, but Is an usurper and pre-
tender" This remarkable declaration
was delivered very energetically, but
was provocative of little result save
cheers form the Republican side Of the
House, for President Smith Immediately
took the roll-call and said: "As the pre-
siding of1eer Of this body, am the only
one authorized to announce the result.
The whole number Of votes cast is 150
of which David Turpie has received 76
As David T0rpie has received majority
of all the votes cast, declare him to be
duly elected United States Senator" At
this the Democratic members arose to
their feet and began to cheer at the top
Of their voices. Mr.. Gordon shouted: Il
move that this joint convention
adjourn sine die" All was con-
fusion in the hall. The Democrats
were yelling and cheering, the
Republicans were collected In
groups, and there was crowd pressing
the Speakers table. Both presiding Of
6ceTs declared that joint convention
adjourned and the Senators went out Of
the hall through the crowd. President
Smith declared the convention adjourn
ed sine die, while Speaker Sayre declar
ed it adjourned.
The next day the Republicans held q
rump joint convention. Seven Of their
Senators declined 70 participate, making
with the Democrats, 81 absentees Of the
100 members. OAly 66 votes we're cast.
A committee was appointed to prepare q
memorial contesting Judge Turpie's
right to seat in the Senate.
Ii is not likely that Senator Harrison
will lend himself to any such scheme.
The grounds are too flimsy. The new
Senator, Mr.. Turpie, is the peer Of any
of the public men of Indiana. He is a
native Of Ohio, and was born in 1920.
He removed to Indiana while still quite
young, and began the practice of law.
He was a member of the Leg eislature in
1852, and Speaker Of the House In 1858.
In 1854 he was appointed Judge Of the
Common Pleas Court, and became
a Circuit Court Judge later, but resigned
both these positions. In 1860 he was
nominated for Lieutenant Governor on
the Democratic ticket, but was defeated.
Il 1868 he was elected to the United
States Senate TO fill vacancy caused by
the expulsion of Jesse D. Bright, who
had given friend letter Of introduc-
tion to Jefferson Davis. In the Senate
he showed himself we'll equipped for
service on the floor and we'll versed In
parliamentary tactics. Judge Turpie
has resided for q number Of years
at Indianapolis. he Is a man Of
scholarly attalnments, giant at the
bar, and ve-y effective public speaker,
but Is not politician in the ordinary
sense of the term. In his tastes and
habits of life he Is something OF a re-
cluse.